News & Insights

Manufacturing is the backbone of the European economy. The industry directly employs over 34 million people across the EU – almost 11 million of those in the engineering sectors represented by Orgalime. Yet the share of manufacturing in total EU output has fallen in recent years. And despite the European Commission’s target of 20% European GDP to be delivered by industry by 2020, there is still a long way to go.

Orgalime believes it is time for an ambitious industrial strategy at EU level. This is why we have joined forces with 124 other European associations to issue a declaration calling on the European Commission to reaffirm its commitment to manufacturing by pursuing an ambitious industrial strategy.

What we need is action – to shape a European framework that enhances opportunities and attracts investment, to strengthen the EU Internal Market, and to support a rapid transition to the digitisation of industry. This will bolster the growth of output and employment in our sector, both of which have recently been on the rise again.

Download the Joint Declaration for more details, and look out for the campaign on Twitter under the hashtag #Industry4Europe.

To read Orgalime’s recommendations on how EU policy makers can help manufacturing drive employment and growth, check out our updated Vision Paper.